High-energy neutrinos from FR0 radio-galaxies?

The sources responsible for the emission of high-energy ($\gtrsim$ 100 TeV) neutrinos detected by IceCube are still unknown. Among the possible candidates, active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets are often examined, since the outflowing plasma seems to offer the ideal environment to accelerate the required parent high-energy cosmic rays. The non-detection of single point sources or -- almost equivalently -- the absence, in the IceCube events, of multiplets originating from the same sky position, constrains the cosmic density and the neutrino output of these sources, pointing to a numerous population of faint sources. Here we explore the possibility that FR0 radiogalaxies, the population of compact sources recently identified in large radio and optical surveys and representing the bulk of radio-loud AGN population, can represent suitable candidates for neutrino emission. Modeling the spectral energy distribution of a FR0 radiogalaxy recently associated to a $\gamma$-ray source detected by the Large Area Telescope onboard Fermi, we derive the physical parameters of its jet, in particular the power carried by it. We consider the possible mechanisms of neutrino production, concluding that $p\gamma$ reactions in the jet between protons and ambient radiation is too inefficient to sustain the required output. We propose an alternative scenario, in which protons, accelerated in the jet, escape from it and diffuse in the host galaxy, producing neutrinos as a result of $pp$ scattering with the interstellar gas, in strict analogy with the processes taking place in star-forming galaxies.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Multilayer Network Analysis of Innovation Intermediaries' Activities

Policymakers wishing to enhance innovation processes in small and medium-sized enterprises increasingly channel their interventions through innovation intermediaries. However, limited empirical research exists regarding the activities and performance of intermediaries, with most contributions taking a qualitative approach and focusing on the role of intermediaries as brokers. In this paper, we analyse the extent to which innovation intermediaries, through their engagement in different activities, support the creation of communities of other agents. We use multilayer network analysis techniques to simultaneously represent the many types of interactions promoted by intermediaries. Furthermore, by originally applying the Infomap algorithm to our multilayer network, we assess the contribution of the agents involved in different activities promoted by intermediaries, and we identify the emerging multilayer communities and the intercohesive agents that span across several communities. Our analysis highlights the potential and the critical features of multilayer analysis for policy design and evaluation

The displacements and deformations of electric sparks by Electrostatic Actions

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Missing women in STEM occupations: The impact of university education on the gender gap in graduates' transition to work

This paper contributes to the literature on the drivers of the gender gap in STEM by focusing on a critical career juncture: the bridge between university study in STEM fields and work. We investigate the effect of selected characteristics of recent STEM graduates' university education on the difference between women and men in their likelihood of obtaining STEM occupations shortly after graduation. Using unique data on a large sample of graduates in male-dominated STEM fields, we show that a diversified university curriculum increases the likelihood of women graduates getting STEM occupations shortly after graduation, while it does not affect men. In contrast, doing internships during university studies and participating in study abroad programs reduce the likelihood of men graduates entering STEM occupations, but does not affect women. Additionally, students' graduation grades increase the probability of both women and men securing STEM occupations

Overview about E-Mobility Conducted Immunity Tests on ESA Communication Lines

Due to the complexity of the Automotive Electromagnetic Compatibility legislation in force, this article aims to describe a simplified overview of several technical standards relating to conducted immunity tests on electronic sub-assemblies, where communication lines are involved. The discussed automotive standards reported in this article are: ISO 11452-1 and ISO 11452-4 for continuous narrowband electromagnetic fields immunity test, bulk current injection and tubular wave coupler, IEC 61000-4-5 for immunity against surge events, IEC 61000-4-4 for electrical fast transient/burst events immunity, ISO 10605 for electrostatic discharge events immunity, ISO 7637-2 and ISO 7637-3 for transient disturbances events immunity. For each cited standard, disturbance bandwidth evaluation was performed. Practical examples are reported, with analysis and discussion of some of the adoptable disturbance countermeasures applicable on controlled area network communication lines, and possible design advantages and disadvantages with different types of filtering and suppression circuit solutions

Measurement of transfer of colostral passive immunity in dairy calves

The administration of high quality colostrum reduces preweaning morbidity, mortality and, therefore, economic losses related to replacement animals. It also stimulates and improves calf growth, increasing milk production and longevity of the future dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of breed and parity of the dam on colostrum quality, and of breed and gender of the calf, and time from calf birth to the administration of the first colostrum meal on the transfer of passive immunity to the calf by the field test of the Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) on calf serum. A further objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the field FPT test through a second laboratory phase improving the turbidity evaluation. The amount of IgG fed to calves (IgG concentration multiplied by the volume of colostrum administered) was influenced by dam parity as significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected between first- and fourth-parity cows, and between second- and fourth-parity cows. The administration of good quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/ml) between 5 and 9 h of life was able to reduce the risk of FPT more effectively than the administration performed within the first 4 h of life. However, further studies on larger sample size is needed to confirm the present findings. The spectrophotometric measurements confirmed the results obtained by the field turbidity test at 14% sodium sulphite dilution. It would be interesting in future to expand the dataset and validate the spectrophometric method

Fuzzy Dark Matter candidates from string theory

String theory has been claimed to give rise to natural fuzzy dark matter candidates in the form of ultralight axions. In this paper we revisit this claim by a detailed study of how moduli stabilisation affects the masses and decay constants of different axion fields which arise in type IIB flux compactifications. We find that obtaining a considerable contribution to the observed dark matter abundance without tuning the axion initial misalignment angle is not a generic feature of 4D string models since it requires a mild violation of the Sf ≲ MP bound, where S is the instanton action and f the axion decay constant. Our analysis singles out C4-axions, C2-axions and thraxions as the best candidates to realise fuzzy dark matter in string theory. For all these ultralight axions we provide predictions which can be confronted with present and forthcoming observations

Innovation intermediaries and performance-based incentives: a case study of regional innovation poles

A growing number of innovation policies rely on publicly funded innovation intermediaries to provide knowledge-intensive services to firms, particularly small and medium-sized ones. The performance of innovation intermediaries is often assessed using indicators that need to be closely aligned with policy objectives to be effective. However, this alignment is difficult to achieve and is often overlooked in practice. We analyse the relationship between performance indicators and the behaviour of intermediaries by examining a case study of innovation intermediaries funded with public resources in Tuscany (Italy). The intermediaries implemented actions that allowed them to achieve their performance targets rapidly. However, due to a misalignment between indicators and policy objectives, these actions were not entirely consistent with the latter. After reviewing the literature on this key issue, we build on our findings to suggest how to design performance indicators that can induce intermediaries to more effectively support the achievement of policy objectives

"In vivo" and "in vitro" degradability of diets for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production

"In vitro" Dry Matter (IVDMD) and fiber degradability (IVNDFD) dynamics were determined for Total Mixed Rations (TMR) typical of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese area. The same parameters were estimated on some of these ration also "in vivo" on a group of fresh cows. "In vivo" trial showed values of 62.21 and 44.82% for DMD and NDFD respectively, while average IVDMD was 67.48 and 74.33% at 24 and 48 hours respectively. At the same intervals IVNDFD was of 49.32 and 62.61%, indicating an high fiber digestibility of fresh cow. Based on the "in vitro" equations and the "in vivo" values, the ruminal retention time was estimated to be of about 21 hours for DMD and of 19 hours for NDFD

EeV Astrophysical neutrinos from FSRQs?

Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQ) are the most powerful blazars in the gamma-ray band. Although they are supposed to be good candidates in producing high energy neutrinos, no secure detection of FSRQs has been obtained up to now, except for a possible case of PKS B1424-418. In this work, we compute the expected flux of high energy neutrinos from FSRQs using standard assumptions for the properties of the radiation fields filling the regions surrounding the central supermassive black hole. We obtain as a result that high energy neutrinos are naturally expected from FSRQs in the sub-EeV-EeV energy range and not at PeV energies. This justifies the non-observation of neutrinos from FSRQs with the present technology, since only neutrinos below 10 PeV have been observed. We found that for a non-negligible range of the parameters the cumulative flux from FSRQs is comparable to or even exceeds the expected cosmogenic neutrino flux. This result is intriguing and highlights the importance to disentangle these point-source emissions from the diffuse cosmogenic background.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&